what about if i am sponserd by a friend

Then you should ask your friend to provide you an invitation letter which should enclose your full name, gender, date of birth, purpose of visit, date of arriving and leaving China, place of visit, relations between the applicant, financial support during stay in China and your friend's name, contact number, address and signature, copy of your friend's Chinese TD card or copies of his/her passport and residence permit.
Then you can take your passport, application form, one passport standard photo and the documents from your friend to the local embassy of China to apply for the visa.